NFL Football 2011

In 2010, an impressive 66.8 percent of all games (171 of 256) were within one score at some point in the fourth quarter.

With so many close games, it's no surprise that 19 were ultimately decided in overtime, the most since 2003 and tied for the fourth-most since overtime was instituted in 1974.

Last year, both teams had at least one possession in 17 of 19 overtime games (89.5 percent) and teams that lost the coin toss posted an 11-8 record (.579).

From RASHARD MENDENHALL's 50-yard game-winning touchdown run in the Steelers' 15-9 Kickoff Weekend overtime victory against the Falcons to JOSH WILSON's game-clinching interception return touchdown in the Ravens' 34-28 overtime decision against the Texans in December, the 2010 season was full of exciting OT action.

NFL teams with the best OT records since Overtime was instituted in 1974

Team Record Pct.
Source: NFL
Jacksonville7-4-0.636
Washington22-13-1.625
Buffalo18-12-0.600
Chicago22-15-0.595
San Francisco19-13-1.591

 

Postseason Overtime Rules

Prior to last season, NFL owners voted at the Annual Meeting in March to amend overtime rules for the postseason to a new-and improved modified sudden death format. Teams will now have the opportunity to possess the ball at least once in the extra period unless the team that receives the overtime kickoff scores a touchdown on its first possession.

After four consecutive NFL postseasons that featured at least one overtime game, the 2010 playoffs ended that streak. The new postseason overtime rules have yet to be tested, but the changes are sure to aid competitive fairness while adding a wrinkle of additional strategy for NFL head coaches.

"We felt this proposal gave us the opportunity to make a pretty good rule even better," said NFL Competition Committee Chairman and Atlanta Falcons President RICH MC KAY upon passage of the proposal last year. "I really believe the more you talk about the issue, the more you understand the statistics, the more you say there must be a change."

The sudden-death overtime system that has been in place since 1974 is still used for preseason and regular-season NFL games.

NFL 2011 - Overtime Rules & Overtime Excitement